SPANISH champion and Tour de France contender Alejandro Valverde took full advantage of a break with tradition to claim the Yellow Jersey on the first day of 2,175 miles of the world’s toughest competition.

It was the first time Tour organisers had ditched the opening prologue time-trial since 1967, and though a largely flat stage would normally benefit the pure sprinters, such as Britain’s Mark Cavendish, the Côte de Cadoual provided the sort of incline at the finish that could favour those blessed with time-trial skills, including David Millar.

With 400m to go, and the peloton together, Luxembourg’s Kim Kirchen made a quick dash for the line, but Caisse d’Epargne rider Valverde burst forward in the final 200 metres.

Team Columbia’s Kirchen was well ahead of the Spaniard after the final bend, but he could not continue his momentum and began to flag as he was caught with apparent ease. Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert was second, followed by Jerome Pineau of France, and Millar finished an impressive 11th.

Valverde is ranked as favourite by many experts in the most open Tour for years, after 2007’s winner Alberto Contador’s enforced absence, as his Astana team is banned by organisers after doping infractions by other riders. Valverde dedicated the win to his family and teammates, before warning his rivals he has his eyes set on more glory before the event reaches Paris.

“It’s an important victory for me today. I’m very proud,” he said. “Of course I have my eyes on the podium, but it’s important to win a stage and have the Yellow Jersey.”

Another hot tip, Australian Cadel Evans, who was runner-up last year, finished sixth for his Silence-Lotto team and Cavendish finished safely in the peloton. Spain dominated the top 10 as Oscar Freire (Rabobank) and Valverde’s Caisse d’Epargne teammate Oscar Sio Pereiro completed the front runners.

Stage one of cycling’s most prestigious race took 180 riders on a 123-mile route through the Brittany countryside, from Brest to Plumelec, and just six minutes after Le Grand Depart, the day’s first breakaway succeeded as a group of eight riders — featuring home favourite Thomas Voeckler, of Bouygues Telecom, who led the Tour for 10 days in 2004 — quickly developed an eight-minute lead after an hour away from the peloton.

The break’s pace was thanks largely to Saunier Duval’s David de la Fuente, of Spain, who was named the most aggressive rider on the Tour two years ago, so perhaps it was no wonder he was in a hurry.

The peloton clawed its deficit on the breakaway back to five minutes after two hours of the stage, and it remained around the four- minute mark for the middle third of the stage. With 35km remaining, De la Fuente and local rider Lilian Jegou, of Francaise des Jeux, made a break for home and were 90 seconds clear when the peloton caught the six other escapees with 23km remaining.

The leaders discussed tactics as they raced along to Plumelec, but the odds were never on anything other than a mass sprint finish. Sure enough, just 7km from home, after 185 in front, De la Fuente and Jegou were consumed. A flick of the wrists and each rider gave way to the train of bikes behind them.

Joining Valverde on the podium were the winners of the minor jerseys. After four fourth-category climbs, Voeckler and fellow escapee Bjorn Schroder were tied at the top on eight points.

The green points jersey went to second-placed Gilbert, who effectively keeps it warm for winner Valverde.

It will be yellow that the Spaniard will want to maintain until the final podium in Paris.

Results (after stage one of 21):

1. Alejandro Valverde (Sp/Caisse d'Epargne) 4hr 36min 0sec
2. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Francaise des Jeux) + 1sec
3. Jerome Pineau (Fra/Bouygues Telecom) + 1sec
4. Kim Kirchen (Lux/Team Columbia) + 1sec
5. Riccardo Ricco (It/Saunier Duval-Scott) + 1sec
6. Cadel Evans (Aus/Silence-Lotto) + 1sec
7. Frank Schleck (Lux/Team CSC Saxo Bank) + 1sec
8. Filippo Pozzato (It/Liquigas) + 1sec
9. Oscar Freire (Spa/Rabobank) + 1sec
10. Oscar Pereiro (Spa/Caisse d'Epargne) + 1sec

Selected others:

11. David Millar (GB/Garmin-Chipotle) + 1sec
120. Mark Cavendish (GB/Team Columbia) + 2min